Apparatus for treating coal



Dec. 18, 1934.

A. O. VINZ APPARATUS FOR TREATING COAL Filed March -24, .1933

b ww vg A13 -Vinz Patented Dec. 18, 1934 I. i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 24, 1933, Serial No. 862,495 8 Claims. (01. 299-46) This invention pertains to an apparatus for the best mode so far devised for the practical treating coal with oil, to render the same subapplication of the principles thereof. stantially dustless during subsequent handling. In the drawing:--

I am aware that it is old to treat coal with oil, Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus con- 5 but the apparatus heretofore employed has been structed in accordance with one form of the pres- 5 cumbersome, costly, and extremely ineflicient. ent invention; and Therefore, the present invention has primarily Figure 2 is an elevation with parts thereof for its object to provide a comparatively simple broken away and in section to more clearly illusand inexpensive apparatus for the treatment of trate the structural details.

' v coal with an exceptionally fine vapor or atomiza- Referring now more particularly to the accom- 0 tion of oil, whereby a minimum quantity of oil panying drawing, wherein the apparatus is illusserves to coat a maximum bulk of coal. trated as a portable unit, it is to be understood Incidental to the foregoing, a more specific that the principles of the invention may be variobject resides in the provision of an apparatus, ously embodied in either a portable or stationary in which'the oil is pre-heated to provide the apparatus. Likewise, the invention may be con- 15 desired viscosity for the most efficient atomizastructed in one or more units and of various'sizes tion, regardless of inherent viscosity of the oil and capacities without departing from the prinused, or the atmospheric temperatures enciples thereof. countered. In that form of the invention illustrated, the 50 A further advantage of pre-heating resides in numeral 1 designates a tank, or container, havthe fact that a small quantity-will treat a maxiing a suction line 2 connected therewith to promum quantity of coal, thus efiecting a material vide reduced pressure within the tank, thus causeconomy in the amount of oil required. ing oil to be supplied thereto through the line 3, In connection with pre-heating, a further provided with a strainer 13' at its outer end for object resides in the provision of means for insertion into any suitable storage receptacle (not 25 thermostatically and automatically controlling shown). the heating element, whereby economy is effected Connected in the suction line 2 is a convenand overheating prevented. I tional strainer, or filter, 4, which traps and elimi- A still further object resides in continuously nates any .solid particles contained in the oil circulating a portion or all of the oil in contact that might subsequently plug the atomizing nozzle 30 I with the heating element, whereby the most efiior nozzles, to be later described.

cient and economical heating is obtained, and A pump 5 of conventional structure is posiheat loss reduced to a minimum. tioned upon the top of the receptacle 1, and A further object in connection with the forethrough the suction line 2 reduces the pressure 3 going resides in the novel means for controlling within the tank 1,- and discharges oil drawn therethe discharge of oil, whereby the vapor, or'mist, from through the discharge line 6, to which a may be regulated to a high degree of certainty flexible hose or pipe line '7 is connected. regardless of variation in the pressure exerted Secured to the outer end of the hose is a upon the oil. forked fitting 7', which carries a pair of atomiz- 40 A still further object resides in the arrangement ing nozzles 8 designed to deliver the oil in a vapor 40 of the pump for withdrawing oil from the top of or fine mist. The purpose in utilizing a pluralthe oil receptacle, whereby the system may be ity of nozzles is to provide for a different volume readily primed by merely tilting the receptacle. of discharge, the orifices in the nozzles being of With the above and other objects in view, which different sizes.

wi l ap ear s the description p eeds, the in- The fitting '1' may be provided with a cut- 45 vention resides in the novel construction, combiofi cock 9, while each of the nozzles 8 is indenation, and arrangement of parts, substantially pendently controlled by the cocks9'. as hereinafter described and more particularly In order to regulate the pressure exerted upon defined by the appended claims, it being underthe oil at the discharge nozzles, whereby the same stood that such changes in the precise embodiis delivered in a fine vapor, or mist, a pressure 50 ment of the herein disclosed invention may be valve 10 is connected in the discharge line 6 and made as come within the scope of the claims. is provided with a regulating stem 10' and a by- In the accompanying drawing is illustrated one pass outlet 11, connected with the tank 1 through complete example of the physical embodiment of a return line 11'. v

the present invention constructed according to Obviously, the valve 10 permitsa portion of the 55 discharge line and consequently the pressure line and nozzles, while the excess oil is by-passed through the valve and returned to the tank through the line 11'. In the event that the nozzles are cut oiT, then all of the oil is returned to the receptacle and circulated therethrough.

The pump 5 is actuated by an electric motor 12, connected directly therewith through the shaft 13, which is provided with the usual flexible connection 13 of any conventional design.

In order to pre-heat the oil, and reduce the same to the desired viscosity for more eflicient atomization under any temperatures, an electric heating element 14 is inserted into the receptacle 1, and is provided with a protruding head 15, which carries the terminals to which the circuit wiring is connected.

While various controls and circuits may be employed for the motor 12 and the electric heating element 14, a preferred form is illustrated, in which a three-step switch 16 is connected with the supply circuit 17, and the heating element 14 through the circuit 18, to provide for a variable heat in the element 14, which is submerged in the oil contained within the receptacle 1, a thermocircuit breaker 19 is connected in the circuit 18 and inserted into the tank where it is aifected by the temperature of the oil contained therein.

Likewise, in order to prevent overheating and burning out of the motor 12, the same is provided with a thermal switch 20, which automatically breaks the motor circuit 21 in the event that the motor becomes overheated.

For the purpose of convenience the receptacle 1 may be provided with a suitable adjustable bracket 22 provided with a clamp 23 for reception of the nozzle fitting 7', thus permitting the same to be held in the desired adjusted position for the discharge of the oily vapor upon the coal either in a bin or traveling through a conveyor.

From the foregoing explanation, considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be quite apparent that an exceedingly simple, compact, and comparatively inexpensive apparatus has been provided for the atomization of oil, particularly adapted for the treatment of coal, to render the same dustless during subsequent handling.

Obviously, pre-heating of the oil reduces its viscosity so that the same may be most efficiently atomized regardless of atmospheric temperatures, and regardless of the inherent viscosity of the oil utilized, thus effecting a material economy, not only in consumption, but permitting use of the heavier and cheaper grades of oil.

It will further be seen that extremely simple means has been provided for controlling the discharge or atomization of oil to a high degree of certainty, regardless of variation in pressure exerted thereon, and due to the fact that a portion of the oil is continuously returned to the tank 1, and circulated in contact with the heating element 14, a material economy in heat is effected, and viscosity of the oil is reduced in a minimum period of time.

While the heating element 14 has been shown and described in connection with the circulating tank 1, it is to be understood that the same may be applied to the storage receptacle from which the oil is drawn. Also, instead of by-passlng and returning a portion of the oil to the tank 1, the same may be returned to the storage receptacle without departing from the principles of the invention.

oil from the pump 5 to be forced through the In the application of the present invention the same may be installed in connection with a bin or hopper to treat the coal contained therein, or the same may be positioned over a delivery chute or conveyor to discharge a vapor or mist upon the coal as the same travels therethrough, it being understood that the volume of discharge can be readily controlled through the selective use of the nozzles 8 and regulation of the valve 10, whereby any amount of oil desired in proportion to the quantity of coal to be treated is available.

I claim:-

1. An apparatus for atomizing heated oil comprising, an auxiliary storage receptacle having a supply line for communication with a main storage reservoir, a circulation line having its opposite ends in communication with said receptacle, a valve positioned in said circulation line, a discharge line connected with said valve, said valve serving to regulate the amount of oil admitted to said discharge line and to permit either a portion or all of the oil forced through the circulation line to be returned to said auxiliary receptacle, a pump positioned in said circulation line between its inlet end and said valve for circulating oil through said line and reducing the pressure within said receptacle as oil is discharged from the circulating line, causing the withdrawal of oil from the main reservoir and automatically maintaining a substantially constant level of oil in said receptacle at all times, and means located within said receptacle for heating the oil contained therein.

2. An apparatus for atomizing heated oil comprising, an auxiliary storage receptacle having a supply line for communication with a main storage reservoir, the circulation line having its opposite ends in communication with said receptacle, a valve positioned in said circulation line, a discharge line connected with said valve, said valve serving to regulate the amount of oil admitted to said discharge line and to permit either a portion or all of the oil forced through the circulation line to be returned to said auxiliary receptacle, a pump positioned in said circulation line between its inlet end and said valve for circulating oil through said line and reducing the pressure within said receptacle as oil is discharged from the circulation line, causing the withdrawal of oil from the main reservoir and automatically maintaining a substantially constant level of oil in said receptacle at all times, means located within said receptacle for heating the oil contained therein, and a filter positioned in said circulation line.

3. An apparatus for atomizing heated oil comprising, an auxiliary storage receptacle having a supply line for communication with a main storage reservoir, a circulation line having its opposite ends in communication with said receptacle, a valve positioned in said circulation line, a discharge line connected with said valve, said valve serving to regulate the amount of oil admitted to said discharge line and to permit either a portion or all of the oil forced through the circulation line to be returned to said auxiliary receptacle, a pump positioned in said circulation line between its inlet end and said valve for circulating oil through said line and reducing the pressure within said receptacle as oil is discharged from the circulating line, causing the withdrawal of oil from the main reservoir andautomatically maintaining a substantially constant level of oil in said receptacle at all times, and means located within said receptacle and below the connections of said supply line and circulation line for heating oil contained therein.

4. An apparatus for atomizing heated oil comprising an auxiliary storage receptacle having a supply line in communication with a main storage reservoir, a circulation line having its opposite ends in communication with said receptacle adjacent'one end thereof, a valve positioned in said circulation line, a discharge line connected with said valve, said valve serving to regulate the amount of oil admitted to said discharge line and to permit either a portion or all of the oil forced through the circulation line to be returned to said auxiliary receptacle, a pump positioned in said circulation line between its inlet end and said valve for circulating oil through said line and reducing the pressure within said receptacle as oil is discharged from the circulating line, causing the withdrawal of oil from the main reservoir and automatically maintaining a substantially constant level of oil in said receptacle at all times, and means located within said receptacle for heating the oil contained therein.

5. An apparatus for atomizing heated oil comprising an auxiliary storage receptacle having a supply line for communication with a main storage line, a circulation line having its opposite ends in communication with said receptacle adjacent one end thereof, a valve positioned in said circulation line, a discharge line connected with said valve, said valve serving to regulate the amount of oil admitted to said discharge line and to permit either a portion or all of the oil forced through the circulation line to be returned to said auxiliary receptacle, a pump positioned in said circulation line between its inlet end and said valve for circulating oil through said line and reducing the pressure within said receptacle as oil is discharged from the circulating line, causing the withdrawal 40 of oil from the main reservoir and automatically maintaining a substantially constant level of oil in said receptacle at all times, and means located within said receptacle below the connections of said supply line and circulation line for heating 45 the oil contained therein.

6. An apparatus for atomizing heated oil comprising a portable storage receptacle having a supply line for communication with a main storage reservoir, a circulation line having its op- 50 posite ends in communication with said receptacle adjacent one end thereof, a valve positioned in said circulation line, a discharge line connected with said valve, said valve serving to regulate the amount of oil admitted to said discharge line and to permit either a portion or all of the oil forced through the circulation line to be returned to said auxiliary receptacle, an'atomizing nozzle carried by the discharge line, a pump positioned in said circulation line between its inlet end and said valve for circulating oil through said line and reducing the pressure within said receptacle as oil is discharged from the circulation line, causing the withdrawal of oil from the main reservoir and automatically maintaining a substantially constant level of oil in said receptacle at all times, means located within said receptacle below the connections of said supply line and circulation line for heating the oil contained therein, and a filter positioned in said circulation line.

'1. An apparatus for atomizing heated oil comprising, an auxiliary storage receptacle having a supply line for communication with a main storage reservior, a circulation line having its opposite ends in communication with said receptacle, a discharge line connected with said circulation line, means for restricting the return of said circulation line to said auxiliary receptacle to permit either a portion or all of the oil forced through the circulation line to be returned to said auxiliary receptacle, a pump positioned in said circulation line between its inlet end and said discharge line for circulating oil through said line and reducing the pressure within said receptacle as oil is discharged through the circulation line causing withdrawal of oil from the main reservoir and automatically maintaining a substantially constant level of oil in said receptacle at all times, and means located within said receptacle for heating the oil contained therein.

8. An apparatus for treating coal with heated oilcomprising an auxiliary storage receptacle, means for reducing pressure within said receptacle to draw unheated oil from a main storage container, a conduit constituting a circulating system for said receptacle arranged exteriorly. thereof, said means acting to circulate oil under pressure in said conduit while simultaneously functioning to draw unheated oil into said receptacle, a discharge line communicating with said conduit, means located in said receptacle for heating the oil circulated in said system, the replenishment and discharge from said receptacle being simultaneous and of substantially equal rate whereby substantially a constant level is maintained at all times in said receptacle.

ALFRED Q. VINZ. 

